Reflux splitter and control system therefor

ABSTRACT

A reflux splitter which includes within a process shell having nonmagnetic walls: a pivoting funnel to receive a liquid condensate stream; a magnetic material secured to the funnel and adapted for movement therewith; a permanent magnet external of the process shell; means to move the permanent magnet into and out of a close magnetic-flux relationship with the magnetic material, so as to move the funnel in a cyclic timed manner to a diverting and nondiverting position to achieve a desired reflux ratio; and fluid-actuating means to move the permanent magnet and to time the movement of the magnet in each position.

United States Patent [191 Baird et a1.

[451 Jan. 14,1975

1 1 REFLUX SPLITTER AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR [75] Inventors: James L.Baird, Winchester;

Edmund L. Pessa, Arlington, both of Mass; James C. Silk, Hudson, NH.

[73] Assignee: Artisan Industries Inc., Waltham,

Mass.

[22] Filed: June 11, 1973 [21] Appl' No.: 368,482

CONDEN SER PROCESS SHELL PISTON ROD) PERMANENT HANGING "AGNET7 FUNNELREFLUX QTTER OUTLET 3,220,936 11/1965 Samour 202/161 3,421,610 1/1969Marshall". 196/99 3,555,911 1/1971 Cordell et al. 137/612 PrimaryExaminerWilbur L. Bascomb, Jr. Assistant Examiner-D. Sanders Attorney,Agent, or FirmRichard P. Crowley [57] ABSTRACT A reflux splitter whichincludes within a process shell having nonmagnetic walls: a pivotingfunnel to receive a liquid condensate stream; a magnetic materialsecured to the funnel and adapted for movement therewith; a permanentmagnet external of the process shell; means to move the permanent magnetinto and out of a close magnetic-flux relationship with the magneticmaterial, so as to move the funnel in a cyclic timed manner to adiverting and nondiverting position to achieve a desired reflux ratio;and fluid-actuating means to move the permanent magnet and to time themovement of the magnet in each position.

11 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PNEUMATIC C ONTROLLER ACTUATOR NEEDLE VALVE76 LOGIC ClRCUIT ACTUATO8L58 NEEDLE 4 VE 3 WAY fVALVE l l l l I l l l ll J PRESSURE FlL AIR PR ESSU R E PATENTED 3.860.491

' sues-12oF 2 SUPPLY WITH REGULATOR FILTER AND SHUT OFF REFLUX SPLITTERAND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A refluxsplitter is primarily used on distillation columns to divert and toregulate the proportion of condensed vapor; i.e., liquid condensate,that is returned to the distillation column as a reflux stream to thecondensate which is recovered or sent to further processing. Refluxsplitters are of particular importance in laboratory and pilot-plantdistillation systems, since in large commercial distillation systemsother means are often employed to control reflux. Typically, the refluxsplitter is positioned on top of the distillation column under thecondenser. A control system is employed which periodically andsequentially provides a means to divert a portion of the condensatewhich descends by gravity from the condenser outside of the column.

Commercially two means are employed to divert the condensate. Onetechnique is to employ a reflux takeoff passage, one end of which iswithin the process shell and positioned vertically beneath a refluxconduit from the condenser, with the other end extending through thewall of the shell. A movable gate member is positioned over the openpassageway of the internal opening. The gate member is then periodicallyon a timed basis moved by a control system to expose the internal, openend of the reflux takeoff passage to divert the condensate for thepreselected period of time, and then moved to a closed position topermit the condensate to enter the top of the column. Such a device fordiverting a reflux stream is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,012,949.

Another means to divert a reflux stream is to employ a tilting,vertically extending funnel or conduit member beneath the condensatereflux conduit, so as to divert the falling reflux stream to obtain thedesired reflux ratio. For example, in one position,, the member permitsthe condensate to be diverted from returning to the column, while inanother position, the condensate is diverted to the column. The tiltingof the conduit or funnel member is typically accomplished by a linkagesystem within the column secured to the tilting member. The linkagesystem is operated by an external control system which operatesperiodically. Such devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,518,574 and 2,903,401.

The control systems employed with present reflux systems areelectromechanical systems which, through the use ofelectric timers andelectrically operated solenoids, provide an actuating mechanism to movethe gate member or tilt the funnel member on energizing of theelectromagnetic solenoid in response to electrical signals from thetimer. The employment of such electrically operated control systemsrequires the presence of available electrical power, an activemaintenance program, and precludes the use of such systems in certainhazardous vapor areas without additional expense and special devices tocomply with safety regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our invention concerns a reflux splitter, afluidactuated control system, and distillation systems employing suchreflux splitter and control system. In particular, our invention relatesto a reflux splitter which includes an all-pneumatic, nonelectric,control system.

Basically, our invention comprises a reflux splitter employing apivoting-funnel element within a process shell, which funnel member isshifted between a diverting and nondiverting position by the applicationof an external permanent magnet, which magnet is moved between actuatedand nonactuated positions by a pneumatic control system.

In our device, a permanent magnet, placed externally of the processshell, is moved toward; that is, into an actuating position or movedaway from; that is, into a nonactuating position, adjacent the processshell wall by a double-action pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Theprocess shell is composed of a nonmagnetic material, while the pivotingfunnel element has secured thereto a magnetically attractive material,whereby the application of the magnetic force of the permanent magnetthrough the process shell walls in close actuating position affects thedesired pivoting movement of the funnel member within the process shell.

Our fluid-actuated magnetic reflux splitter provides many advantagesover prior art devices. One advantage is that no moving parts need beinserted through the process shell wall as in other devices. Our system,wherein the actuating mechanism is isolated from and external to theprocess, permits easier performance of maintenance, eliminates the needfor shell seals, permits the process shell pressure rating to be limitedsolely by the thickness of the process shell as it affects the desiredmagnetic flux, and permits high processtemperature capability, since themotive device used; i.e., the double-acting cylinder, may be isolatedfrom the heat. A further and distinct advantage is that ourall-fluid-actuated, control system requires no electrical power, andpermits its use in areas where electrical systems require anexplosion-proof rating. In addition, the use ofa fluid control systempermits the use of more reliable, simpler and less expensive components,while such a system is easily installed to any pneumatic or hydraulicpower source.

For the purposes of illustration, our reflux splitter will be describedin connection with its use in a distillation column system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a partial, sectionalview of our reflux splitter in a reflux condenser distillation systemwith a schematic illustration of a pneumatic control system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Our device comprises a distillationsystem 10 which includes a distillation column 12 with vapor passingupwardly and condensate returned to the column downwardly, a refluxsplitter 14 positioned on top of the column and a reflux condenser 16.The reflux splitter I4 includes a cylindrical process shell 18 composedof a nonmagnetic material, such as glass or stainless steel. The wallthickness is dependent on the pressure requirements of the system, butinsufficient to prevent the passage of the desired magnetic flux ashereinafter described. The process shell 18 is secured by flanges 20 and22 between the condenser 16 and the column 12.

Interior of the process shell in the splitter 14 is a condensatecollector 24 which collects condensate from the reflux condenser 16, andan elbow condensate outlet 26. Positioned beneath the open end of theoutlet 26 is a hanging funnel element 28 adapted to pivot about a pivot30, so as to tilt the outlet end of the funnel. Directly beneath theoutlet end of the funnel 28, in its nondiverting, free-hanging position,is a trough element 36 for directing the condensate from the outlet tothe central part of the process shell, so that the condensate fallsdownwardly to the distillation column for additional processing. Thetrough 36 would not be required other than that the funnel element 28 ispositioned toward the internal wall of the process shell.

A reflux-diverting trough 34 is secured to the internal wall of theprocess shell, the trough leading to a reflux outlet 38 in the processshell wall. The diverting trough 34 is positioned so that the funnel 28in its nondiverting position will not direct the condensate into thereflux trough 34, but in its diverting, pivoted position, the outlet ofthe funnel 28 is directed into the reflux trough 34, the clearance ofthe funnel at its upper mouth and the position of the pivot adapted topermit such movements.

Secured to the lower side of the funnel element 28 and adapted forpivoting movement therewith is a magnetic weight 32 composed of a metal,such as a steel material or permanent magnet, which is attracted orrepulsed by a magnetic force. The weight may be plated, coated orotherwise encased in a protective material if desired or required, suchas a Teflon-coated magnet. The weight element 32 is preferably shaped sothat, when the funnel element 28 is in its reflux-condensation-divertingposition, the element 32 is in a close relationship to the internal wallof the process shell.

External to the process shell 18 is a double-acting pneumatic orhydraulic cylinder 46, secured at one end to the flange 22, the cylinderhaving a reciprocating, movable piston rod 48 secured at its other endto an internal piston. The actuating element 42 is secured to theprocess shell wall and adapted for movement about a pivot 44. Secured tothe element 42 and adapted for movement therewith back and toward theprocess shell external wall is a permanent magnet 40. The magnet 40 andthe actuating element are adapted for pivotable, reciprocating movementbetween an actuating position, wherein the magnet is positioned in closeproximity to the external process shell wall, so as to permit magneticflux to pass through the wall and attract (or repulse if desired) theweight element 32, or to move away from the process shell wall asufficient distance to a nonactuating position to permit the pivotingfunnel 28 to resume its gravity-directed, free-hanging, nondivertingposition. Movement of the actuating element 42 and the magnet 40 isaffected by the position of the piston rod 48 which is positioned byresponse to fluid pressure applied to either side of the piston withinthe piston cylinder 46 through the fluid-control system.

In the embodiment described, compressed air is employed as a source ofair pressure 50 through a shutoff valve 60, an air filter 62 and apressure regulator valve 64 to a pneumatic cycle controller 66. Thecontroller includes dual, pneumatically actuated timers 70 and 72, theoperation of the timers, which may be preset by the user, controlled bya pneumatic or hydraulic logic system 68 operated off the air pressuresource 50. The fluid logic circuit used is well known and commerciallyavailable, as are the pneumatic cycle timers illustrated. Three-wayvalves 52 and S4 and needle valves 74 and 76 for each timer are includedin the pneumatic system. Valves 74 and 76 are speed or flow-controlneedle valves with integral check valves 78 and 80. The threeway valves52 and 54 are actuated through diaphragm actuators 56 and 58 (e.g., seeUS. Pat. No. l,l94,856). As illustrated, the actuator 56 has opened thethreeway valve 52 to let air into the upper cylinder port through valve76, with timer 70 in operation and threeway valve 54 open to exhaust.The logic circuit operates directly or at a reduced pressure; e.g., 3-5psig, off the air pressure source 50, and senses when one timer isfinished and starts the other timer and repeats this cycle. If desired,a selector-type valve (not shown) may be employed in the control systemto allow the operator to select full reflux or full takeoff. rather thancycling of the cylinder.

in operation, the reflux ratio desired is set by the selection of timeperiods for the diverting and nondiverting funnel positions on thetimers 70 and 72; for example, from 1 to 60 seconds, such as l to 5seconds for the diverting position, and 3 to 15 seconds for thenondiverting funnel position. One of the timers; e.g., 70, is actuatedand one of the valves 52 or 54 switched to allow air pressure to one ofthe ports of the cylinder 46. As shown, the pivoting funnel 28 is in thenondiverting position, with the magnet 40 held away from the externalwall of the process shell 18 by the extended position of the actuatingelement 42 forced into such position by the extension of piston rod 48through the application of air pressure through valves 52 and 76 to theopposite side of the piston in the cylinder. At the end of the timingperiod, the timer stops timing, and the three-way valve 52 deactivatesto exhaust the air in the upper portion of the cylinder 46. The logiccircuit sensing the change in timing output pressure activates the othertimer 72 and the three-way valve 54. The valve 54 switches to permit airpressure into the lower part of the cylinder 46 which forces the pistonrod 48 upwardly and pivots the actuating element 42 inwardly toward theexternal wall of the process shell, with the magnet 40 placed in a closeposition adjacent the wall. In this position, the diverting position forthe funnel 28, magnetic flux of the magnet penetrates the process shellwall and attracts the magnetic weight 32 toward the internal wallsurface of the process shell where the magnet 40 is positioned, causingthe funnel 28 to pivot also and assume the diverting position,permitting the condensate to be directed for that time period intoreflux trough 34 and reflux outlet 36, and be removed. At the end of thesecond diverting position time period, the other timer stops and thethree-way valve exhausts the air in that side of the cylinder 46, andthe timing process is then repeated.

The position of the funnel and other elements is shown in a nondivertingposition in solid black lines, and in a diverting position by dottedlines. Many types of timers may be employed in our nonelectric-controlsystem, such as mechanical timers such a clock mechanism which functionspurely by mechanical timing means, or pneumatic or fluidic timingdevices; for example, as illustrated, which employ the gas or fluid flowout of or into a known volume through an orifice as a means of timing.Both mechanisms are started by pneumatic signals, and both control apneumatic signal output. As shown, two three-way actuated valves 52 and54 have been employed, actuated by pneumatic actuators 56 and 58 (i.e.,to source, to exhaust and to cylinder). However, it is recognized thatother valves may be used, for example. a single four-way valve may beused to source, to lower cylinder port, to upper cylinder port and toexhaust.

Our reflux splitter has been illustrated in connection with a refluxcondenser; that is, where vapors pass upwardly from a distillationcolumn or other evaporator to a condenser, while condensed distillateflows downwardly from the reflux condenser back to the distillationcolumn. However, our reflux splitter and control system may also be usedwith an external condenser; that is, a condenser separate from thedistillation column, which receives vapor from the column or othersources, and where only the liquid condensate flows through ourrefluxsplitter system.

Our reflux splitter and control system may be employed in connectionwith distillation systems generally, and in other equipment where it isdesired to separate a stream of liquid into separate streams in aperiodic sequential manner. The reflux ratio or the proportions of thestreams to be divided into two or more streams may be adjusted byappropriate settings of the desired reflux ratio; i.e., the time atwhich the funnel is in various diverting positions, to the time in thenondiverting position through the selection of such time periods onappropriate timing devices.

Our control system has been described employing air pressure asthe'motive power source. It is within the scope of our invention toemploy any pressurized gaseous source, or to employ in whole or in parta hydraulic system utilizing a liquid as the fluid motive power. Ourreflux splitter has been described in connection with a pivoting ortilting funnel device, rather than a gateopening and closing device orother means for controlling reflux. However, our fluid-control systemmay be employed with other reflux splitter devices to effect the desiredgate movements and control of reflux.

Our reflux splitter and control system provide distinct and importantadvantages over prior art splitters and control systems as herein setforth.

What we claim is:

l. A reflux splitter which comprises in combination:

a. a process shell at least a portion of whose wall is composed of anonmagnetic material, and characterized by a reflux outlet in theprocess shell wall to discharge reflux externally of the process shell;

b. means to discharge a liquid condensate into the process shell;

c. a reflux condensate-receiving element within the process shelladapted to direct liquid condensate therein to the reflux outlet;

d. movable means to direct liquid condensate discharged into the processshell between a first position wherein the condensate is directed intothe reflux outlet, and a second position wherein the condensate ispermitted to be discharged downwardly within the process shell;

e. a magnetic material secured to the movable means and adapted formovement therewith, the magnetic material adapted to be positioned ineither the first or second position of the movable means in a closemagnetic flux relationship with the nonmagnetic wall of the processshell;

f. a permanent magnet positioned externally of the process shell;

g. a source of air pressure;

h. means to move the permanent magnet between an actuating position anda nonaetuating position, one of said positions placing the permanentmagnet in a close magnetic flux relationship with the externalnonmagnetic wall of the process shell which comprises,

i. an actuating element adapted for pivotable movement externally of theprocess shell, the permanent magnet secured to the said element at oneend thereof for movement therewith;

ii. a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having a piston thereon and apiston rod, one end of which is secured to the actuating element at theother end thereof to permit reciprocating movement of the element withthe movement of the piston rod;

iii. means to supply air pressure from the air pressure source to thecylinder; and

iv. valve means to permit air pressure from the source to be introducedinto the cylinder and to be exhausted from the piston; and

i. means to control the time periods at which the means to move thepermanent magnet and the permanent magnet is maintained in the actuatingand nonaetuating positions which comprises 'an airactuated cyclic timingmeans to permit the introduction and exhaustion of air pressure to thecylinder and induces movement of the piston rod, actuating element andpermanent magnet between the actuating and nonaetuating positions in asequential predetermined time period, whereby, on movement of thepermanent magnet to one of its positions, the magnetic flux of themagnetic force through the nonmagnetic wall of the process shell inducesmovement of the magnetic material and the means to direct the liquidcondensate, so that a reflux ratio as desired may be arranged throughthe time period in each position.

2. The splitter of claim 1 wherein the movable means comprises a funnelelement having a wide open upper entrance and a narrow open loweroutlet, and adapted for pivotable movement about a pivot point betweenthe first position and the second position, the second position beingone of an essentially vertical, freehanging position of the funnelelement.

3. The splitter of claim 1 wherein the cylinder at the one end issecured for pivotable movement to the external wall of the processshell, and the actuating element comprises a first extending elementsecured at the one end to the end of the piston rod, and, at the otherend, pivotably secured at a pivot point to the external wall of theprocess shell. and a second extending element pivotably secured at oneend to the same pivot point at the other end of the first element. andadapted for movement with the first element about the pivot to thepermanent magnet at the other end, whereby, on movement of the pistonred, the first and second extending elements move to position thepermanent magnet in actuating and nonaetuating positions.

4. The splitter of claim I wherein the air-actuated, cyclic, timingmeans comprises: first and second pneumatic timers, one of whichcontrols the time period of the magnet in the actuating position. andone of which controls the time period of the magnet in the nonaetuatingposition; a pneumatic-logic means to sense the change in timing pressurein one timer and to actuate the other timer; first valve means to directlow-pressure air from the source to the logic means; and second valvemeans to direct air pressure to the cylinder. to the exhaust and to thefirst or second timer.

5. The splitter of claim 1 which includes: first and second pneumatictimers, one of which controls the time period of the magnet in theactuating position, and one of which controls the time period of themagnet in the nonactuating position; first and second three-way valves,the valves each adapted to direct the flow of air from the source to theupper and lower parts of the cylinder, to the exhaust or to the source;first and second pneumatic actuators to actuate the three-way valves;and pneumatic-logic means to sense the change in pneumatic pressure ofthe first or second timer, and to actuate the other timer, whereby, onselection of the desired time period, air flows through the logic-meanstimer to provide for the timed reciprocating action of the piston rodwhich places the magnet in actuating and nonactuating positions.

6. A reflux splitter which comprises in combination:

a. a cylindrical process shell, the wall of which is composed of anonmagnetic material, the shell characterized by a reflux outlet in theprocess shell wall to discharge liquid condensate reflux externally ofthe process shell;

b. means to collect a liquid condensate from a condenser and todischarge the liquid condensate into a stream within the process shell;

c. a reflux condensate-receiving elbow element within the process shelladapted to direct liquid condensate toward the internal wall of theprocess shell;

d. a movable funnel element to direct liquid condensate discharged intothe process shell in a stream between a diverting first position whereinthe liquid condensate is directed by the element into the reflux outlet,and a second nondiverting position wherein the liquid condensate isdirected downwardly within the process shell, the funnel element adaptedfor pivotable movement at the upper end thereof, the upper end of thefunnel element adapted to receive the liquid condensate stream, and thelower discharge end of the funnel element being of narrowerconstruction;

e. a magnetic material secured to the pivotable funnel element andadapted for movement therewith, the magnetic weight material adapted inits first diverting position to move toward and close to the internalnonmagnetic wall of the process shell in response to a magnetic flux,and in the second position to permit the funnel element to have anessentially vertical, free-hanging position within the process shell;

f. a permanent magnet positioned externally of the process shell;

g. an actuating element external of the process shell secured to thepermanent magnet, the actuating element adapted for movement external ofthe process shell and to move the permanent magnet between an actuatingpositon and a nonactuating position;

h. the actuating position placing the permanent magnet in a closemagnetic flux relationship with the external wall of the process shell,so as to attract the magnetic weight material secured to the pivotablefunnel element;

i. a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having a piston rod, one end ofsaid piston rod secured to the actuating element and adapted to inducemovement of the actuating element between an actuating, and anonactuating position;

j. a source of air pressure;

k. a means to supply air pressure from the source to the double-actingpneumatic cylinder;

1. a valve means to direct air pressure from the source in atime-sequential sequence to the cylinder, so as to induce, for desiredtimes and periods, the reciprocating action of the piston rod in thedoubleacting cylinder, and, therefore, the actuating ele ment and thepermanent magnet between an actuating and a nonactuating position; and

m. a cyclic timing means to control the time periods at which airpressure is supplied to the doubleacting cylinder, whereby, on settingthe desired time periods between the actuating and nonactuatingpositions, movement of the permanent magnet to the actuating andnonactuating positions in a desired time sequence is effected, and,thereby a re flux ratio as desired is obtained by the movement of thepivotal funnel within the process shell from a diverting to anondiverting position.

7. The reflux splitter of claim 6 wherein the actuating element issecured for pivotable movement at the one end thereof, and the permanentmagnet and piston rod secured to the other end thereof, the actuatingelement and magnet so secured and formed to place the face of the magnetin a close generally parallel relationship with the external wall of theprocess shell in the actuating position.

8. The reflux splitter ofclaim 6 wherein the magnetic material is sosecured and formed to place the face of the material in a closegenerally parallel relationship with the internal wall of the processshell when the funnel element is in its diverting position.

9. The reflux splitter ofclaim 6 wherein the cyclic means to control thetime period includes a valve means in fluid-flow communication to thesource of air pressure, to an upper and a lower cylinder port of thecylinder and to exhaust, and wherein the timing means is a cyclicpneumatic timer.

10. A distillation system which includes:

a. a distillation column;

b. an internal reflux condenser; and

c. the reflux splitter of claim 6 wherein the reflux splitter ispositioned and secured on top of the distillation column and directlybeneath the reflux condenser, whereby the condensate stream comprises avapor stream from the distillation column which has been condensed bythe condenser.

11. A distillation system which includes:

a. a distillation column;

b. an external condenser adapted to receive vapor from the distillationcolumn and to condense such vapor; and i c. the reflux splitter of claim6 wherein the reflux splitter receives the liquid condensate stream ofthe condenser free of vapor from the distillation column.

1. A reflux splitter which comprises in combination: a. a process shellat least a portion of whose wall is composed of a nonmagnetic material,and characterized by a reflux outlet in the process shell wall todischarge reflux externally of the process shell; b. means to dischargea liquid condensate into the process shell; c. a refluxcondensate-receiving element within the process shell adapted to directliquid condensate therein to the reflux outlet; d. movable means todirect liquid condensate discharged into the process shell between afirst position wherein the condensate is directed into the refluxoutlet, and a second position wherein the condensate is permitted to bedischarged downwardly within the process shell; e. a magnetic materialsecured to the movable means and adapted for movement therewith, themagnetic material adapted to be positioned in either the first or secondposition of the movable means in a close magnetic flux relationship withthe nonmagnetic wall of the process shell; f. a permanent magnetpositioned externally of the process shell; g. a source of air pressure;h. means to move the permanent magnet between an actuating position anda nonactuating position, one of said positions placing the permanentmagnet in a close magnetic flux relationship with the externalnonmagnetic wall of the process shell which comprises, i. an actuatingelement adapted for pivotable movement externally of the process shell,the permanent magnet secured to the said element at one end thereof formovement therewith; ii. a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having apiston thereon and a piston rod, one end of which is secured to theactuating element at the other end thereof to permit reciprocatingmovement of the element with the movement of the piston rod; iii. meansto supply air pressure from the air pressure source to the cylinder; andiv. valve means to permit air pressure from the source to be introducedinto the cylinder and to be exhausted from the piston; and i. means tocontrol the time periods at which the means to move the permanent magnetand the permanent magnet is maintained in the actuating and nonactuatingpositions which comprises an air-actuated cyclic timing means to permitthe introduction and exhaustion of air pressure to the cylinder andinduces movement of the piston rod, actuating element and permanentmagnet between the actuating and nonactuating positions in a sequentialpredetermined time period, whereby, on movement of the permanent magnetto one of its positions, the magnetic flux of the magnetic force throughthe nonmagnetic wall of the process shell induces movement of themagnetic material and the means to direct the liquid condensate, so thata reflux ratio as desired may be arranged through the time period ineach position.
 2. The splitTer of claim 1 wherein the movable meanscomprises a funnel element having a wide open upper entrance and anarrow open lower outlet, and adapted for pivotable movement about apivot point between the first position and the second position, thesecond position being one of an essentially vertical, free-hangingposition of the funnel element.
 3. The splitter of claim 1 wherein thecylinder at the one end is secured for pivotable movement to theexternal wall of the process shell, and the actuating element comprisesa first extending element secured at the one end to the end of thepiston rod, and, at the other end, pivotably secured at a pivot point tothe external wall of the process shell, and a second extending elementpivotably secured at one end to the same pivot point at the other end ofthe first element, and adapted for movement with the first element aboutthe pivot to the permanent magnet at the other end, whereby, on movementof the piston rod, the first and second extending elements move toposition the permanent magnet in actuating and nonactuating positions.4. The splitter of claim 1 wherein the air-actuated, cyclic, timingmeans comprises: first and second pneumatic timers, one of whichcontrols the time period of the magnet in the actuating position, andone of which controls the time period of the magnet in the nonactuatingposition; a pneumatic-logic means to sense the change in timing pressurein one timer and to actuate the other timer; first valve means to directlow-pressure air from the source to the logic means; and second valvemeans to direct air pressure to the cylinder, to the exhaust and to thefirst or second timer.
 5. The splitter of claim 1 which includes: firstand second pneumatic timers, one of which controls the time period ofthe magnet in the actuating position, and one of which controls the timeperiod of the magnet in the nonactuating position; first and secondthree-way valves, the valves each adapted to direct the flow of air fromthe source to the upper and lower parts of the cylinder, to the exhaustor to the source; first and second pneumatic actuators to actuate thethree-way valves; and pneumatic-logic means to sense the change inpneumatic pressure of the first or second timer, and to actuate theother timer, whereby, on selection of the desired time period, air flowsthrough the logic-means timer to provide for the timed reciprocatingaction of the piston rod which places the magnet in actuating andnonactuating positions.
 6. A reflux splitter which comprises incombination: a. a cylindrical process shell, the wall of which iscomposed of a nonmagnetic material, the shell characterized by a refluxoutlet in the process shell wall to discharge liquid condensate refluxexternally of the process shell; b. means to collect a liquid condensatefrom a condenser and to discharge the liquid condensate into a streamwithin the process shell; c. a reflux condensate-receiving elbow elementwithin the process shell adapted to direct liquid condensate toward theinternal wall of the process shell; d. a movable funnel element todirect liquid condensate discharged into the process shell in a streambetween a diverting first position wherein the liquid condensate isdirected by the element into the reflux outlet, and a secondnondiverting position wherein the liquid condensate is directeddownwardly within the process shell, the funnel element adapted forpivotable movement at the upper end thereof, the upper end of the funnelelement adapted to receive the liquid condensate stream, and the lowerdischarge end of the funnel element being of narrower construction; e. amagnetic material secured to the pivotable funnel element and adaptedfor movement therewith, the magnetic weight material adapted in itsfirst diverting position to move toward and close to the internalnonmagnetic wall of the process shell in response to a magnetic flux,and in the second position to permit the funnel element to havE anessentially vertical, free-hanging position within the process shell; f.a permanent magnet positioned externally of the process shell; g. anactuating element external of the process shell secured to the permanentmagnet, the actuating element adapted for movement external of theprocess shell and to move the permanent magnet between an actuatingpositon and a nonactuating position; h. the actuating position placingthe permanent magnet in a close magnetic flux relationship with theexternal wall of the process shell, so as to attract the magnetic weightmaterial secured to the pivotable funnel element; i. a double-actingpneumatic cylinder having a piston rod, one end of said piston rodsecured to the actuating element and adapted to induce movement of theactuating element between an actuating and a nonactuating position; j. asource of air pressure; k. a means to supply air pressure from thesource to the double-acting pneumatic cylinder; l. a valve means todirect air pressure from the source in a time-sequential sequence to thecylinder, so as to induce, for desired times and periods, thereciprocating action of the piston rod in the double-acting cylinder,and, therefore, the actuating element and the permanent magnet betweenan actuating and a nonactuating position; and m. a cyclic timing meansto control the time periods at which air pressure is supplied to thedouble-acting cylinder, whereby, on setting the desired time periodsbetween the actuating and nonactuating positions, movement of thepermanent magnet to the actuating and nonactuating positions in adesired time sequence is effected, and, thereby a reflux ratio asdesired is obtained by the movement of the pivotal funnel within theprocess shell from a diverting to a nondiverting position.
 7. The refluxsplitter of claim 6 wherein the actuating element is secured forpivotable movement at the one end thereof, and the permanent magnet andpiston rod secured to the other end thereof, the actuating element andmagnet so secured and formed to place the face of the magnet in a closegenerally parallel relationship with the external wall of the processshell in the actuating position.
 8. The reflux splitter of claim 6wherein the magnetic material is so secured and formed to place the faceof the material in a close generally parallel relationship with theinternal wall of the process shell when the funnel element is in itsdiverting position.
 9. The reflux splitter of claim 6 wherein the cyclicmeans to control the time period includes a valve means in fluid-flowcommunication to the source of air pressure, to an upper and a lowercylinder port of the cylinder and to exhaust, and wherein the timingmeans is a cyclic pneumatic timer.
 10. A distillation system whichincludes: a. a distillation column; b. an internal reflux condenser; andc. the reflux splitter of claim 6 wherein the reflux splitter ispositioned and secured on top of the distillation column and directlybeneath the reflux condenser, whereby the condensate stream comprises avapor stream from the distillation column which has been condensed bythe condenser.
 11. A distillation system which includes: a. adistillation column; b. an external condenser adapted to receive vaporfrom the distillation column and to condense such vapor; and c. thereflux splitter of claim 6 wherein the reflux splitter receives theliquid condensate stream of the condenser free of vapor from thedistillation column.